Associate Director, Contracts - National Center for Clinical Trials (NCCT)

Overview

This role provides operational leadership and oversight for enterprise clinical trial contracting activities supporting industry-sponsored clinical research. Responsibilities include directing contract administration operations, supervising contracting personnel, ensuring timely negotiation and execution of clinical research agreements, monitoring performance metrics, implementing process improvements, and collaborating with stakeholders to accelerate study activation while maintaining compliance with institutional, regulatory, and legal requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership and oversight for enterprise clinical research contracting activities supporting industry-sponsored clinical research, ensuring timely negotiation, execution, and administration of clinical research agreements.
• Design and direct the work of the clinical trial contracts team, including selection, coaching, development, performance management, and workload allocation for contract administration staff.
• Oversee negotiation, review, execution, and management of Clinical Trial Agreements (CTAs), Confidential Disclosure Agreements (CDAs), Master Clinical Trial Agreements (MCTAs), amendments, and other research-related agreements.
• Monitor contract performance metrics, turnaround times, service levels, and operational workloads; develop and implement strategies to improve efficiency, quality, and customer service.
• Develop, implement, and maintain standardized contract templates, workflows, negotiation strategies, and best practices that enhance consistency and reduce study startup timelines.
• Collaborate with investigators, research administration, legal counsel, finance, compliance, regulatory affairs, and operational stakeholders to facilitate study activation and resolve complex contractual issues.
• Provide guidance and resolution for high-risk or complex contractual negotiations involving intellectual property, publication rights, indemnification, confidentiality, subject injury, data use, and related provisions.
• Support implementation, optimization, and utilization of research administration systems and technologies that facilitate contract management, reporting, and operational efficiency.
• Prepare and present operational reports, dashboards, and performance analyses to research administration leadership to support strategic planning and decision-making.
• Understand and adhere to the organization’s Code of Ethical Conduct and ensure contracting activities and supervised employees comply with organizational policies, applicable regulations, and governing laws.

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required. In some circumstances, equivalent years of direct research administration experience or applicable professional certifications may be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.

Work Experience

• Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in clinical research, research administration, clinical trial contracting, grants and contracts administration, or related healthcare research environment.
• Minimum three (3) years of leadership, supervisory, or management experience overseeing staff involved in research administration, contracting, or related operational functions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of clinical research regulations, sponsor-funded research administration processes, and clinical trial agreement requirements.
• Knowledge of Clinical Trial Agreements, Confidential Disclosure Agreements, Master Clinical Trial Agreements, amendments, and related research contracts.
• Knowledge of contractual provisions including intellectual property, publication rights, confidentiality, subject injury, indemnification, insurance, and data use terms.
• Strong contract negotiation, conflict resolution, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to analyze complex contractual language and communicate business, legal, and operational impacts to diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, mentoring, and personnel management abilities.
• Strong oral, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and research administration technology platforms.
• Ability to evaluate operational metrics and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, quality, and service delivery.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Education

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Public Administration, Legal Studies, Research Administration, Life Sciences, or related field.

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting enterprise-level clinical research contracting operations within an academic medical center, healthcare system, or research-intensive organization.
• Experience implementing operational improvements and process standardization initiatives.
• Experience utilizing Huron Research Suite, CTMS platforms, Florence, or other enterprise research administration systems.
• Experience developing performance metrics, dashboards, and operational reporting tools.

Preferred Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of clinical trial contracting, research administration operations, and industry-sponsored research.
• Knowledge of enterprise contract management systems and workflow optimization methodologies.
• Ability to lead organizational change initiatives and drive continuous process improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across legal, compliance, finance, operational, and research functions.
• Strong strategic planning and operational execution skills.
• Advanced data analysis and performance management capabilities.

Compensation & Benefits

• Pay range: $54.90 - $82.35
• Base compensation within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training.
• Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job.
• Incentive pay for select positions.
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance.
• Paid Time Off programs.
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave.
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
• Educational Assistance Program.
• Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.).

Location & Schedule

• Remote
• Full time (40 hours per week)
• First Shift, standard business hours, M-F